Dermatologists, aestheticians and beauty editors all tout the benefits of eye cream. There’s a plethora of eye creams on the market but how do you know which one is best for you? Before you plunk down your money, here are a couple of things you might want to try:
Head to a department store and check out the cosmetics counters to see what’s new or tried and true. Ask the sales associates for samples – some manufacturers make them available for testing before you buy, especially if you’re a regular and the sales associates know you. Often, eye creams are packaged as a Gift with Purchase (GWP). These are great if you happen to be purchasing something from that manufacturer’s line. (We’re hooked on Gifts with Purchase and always try to take advantage of them. Hello, Clinique!)
Check out magazine websites, such as Allure.com and Glamour.com, for reader reviews and editor’s picks. These can be an invaluable source of help and information. We love Sephora.com and rely on their user reviews before we buy product. Search for eye creams and skim the reviews.
Ok, so what’s in our cosmetic bag?
Right now, we’re loving Wrinkle Magic. While we don’t necessarily consider it a treatment cream, it effectively smoothes out under eye wrinkles instantly, albeit temporarily and brightens the eye area. It should be used judiciously or it can look flakey, but with a little practice, it’s pretty amazing. Cost is $30. for a.075 ounce tube at ShopNBC.com. (As of this writing, it was sold out, alas.)
Clinique All About Eyes – This lightweight yet rich eye cream does the job without feeling sticky. A recipient of Glamour Magazine’s 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards, this product gets consistently rave reviews. A jar sells for $28.50 and is available either at a Clinique counter or from Clinique.com. (We confess that we got ours as part of a GWP but will definitely purchase when we run out.)
Benefit – Ooh, Benefit Cosmetics, how do we love thee? We can’t even count the ways, they’re so numerous. Eyecon helps to fade dark circles and smooth fine lines with yummy ingredients like sweet almond and apple fruit. Available for $30. at Benefitcosmetics.com or a Benefit counter near you.
Bliss The Youth As We Know It Eye Cream – We haven’t tried this one yet but the reviews on Sephora.com are encouraging. It’s $75. for an 0.5 ounce jar.
DHC – We’ve been loyal to DHC for so many years, we should be on the cover of their catalog. They sell a wide range of eye care products and one we love is Extra Nighttime Moisture cream. Fortified with collagen and containing olive oil, squalane and a host of other emollients, this cream helps us wake up looking refreshed. It’s $32.50 for a 1.5 ounce jar and is available at dhccare.com. We also couldn’t live without DHC’s Olive Virgin Oil. While not technically an eye cream, we slather this stuff all over our faces and necks and, after only a couple of weeks of use, received a slew of compliments on our skin’s new “glow.” And yes, we have considered bathing in it. It’s $39. for a fluid ounce at DHCCare.com.
